The regulations set the requirements that public water systems must follow regarding the form, manner, frequency and content of a public notice. Public notification of violations is an integral part of the public health protection and consumer right-to-know provisions of the 1996 SDWA amendments. Owners and operators of public water systems are required to notify persons served when they fail to comply with the requirements of the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR); have a variance or exemption from the drinking water regulations; or are facing other situations posing a risk to public health.
EPA also is publishing revisions to the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) regulation to be consistent with the final public notification regulation.
The rule is effective June 5, 2000. However, the new regulations under Part 141, Subpart Q do not apply to public water systems in states with primacy for the public water system supervision program until May 6, 2002 or until the state-adopted rule becomes effective, whichever comes first. The new regulations under Part 141, Subpart Q also do not apply to public water systems in jurisdictions where EPA directly implements the program until October 31, 2000. Until the new regulations under Part 141, Subpart Q apply, public water systems must continue to comply with the public notification requirements under Sec. 141.32. For purposes of judicial review, this final rule is promulgated as of 1 p.m. Eastern time on May 18, 2000.
Copies of the public comments received, EPA responses, and all other supporting documents are available for review at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; 401 M Street SW, Water Docket (MC- 4101), Docket #W-98-19, Room EB 57, Washington, DC 20460. For an appointment to review the docket, call 202-260-3027 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and refer to docket W-98-19.
SOURCE: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
